An open forum to discuss health and wellness under the watchful eye of a former junk food enthusiast. Let's have fun and learn from each other!

Search This Blog

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Guest Post: Cancer Nutrition

Hello, everyone. I hope you all have had a wonderful and prosperous first half of 2012!

I must first apologize for my lengthy absence. As is sometimes the case, life gets in the way and we are not able to stay on top of all the projects about which we are so passionate. In my case, I was working in an out-of-town location with very limited internet access. Please accept my apologies and let us move on with the task at hand.

About a month ago I received an e-mail from a very passionate young lady. She mentioned to me that she had recently stumbled across the blog and asked if I allowed guest posts. I had honestly never considered it before but figured it would be a wonderful way to encourage others to comment, post, and discuss the benefits of healthy eating. She has since sent me a short article that she has written about "how beneficial eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle is for someone going through the battle of cancer". This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart in many ways so I was happy to oblige. Remember, there is a great deal of research on this topic and this is only a drop in the ocean of what can be learned. I strongly encourage everyone to do their own research and please feel free to bring your findings to this open forum so that we all might benefit. I will be doing the same and plan on adding a plethora of information as well. As always, thank you for reading, tell your friends, become a Follower, and Comment!

***Please keep in mind that this article was written by someone who is trying to help and educate us all. I encourage you to comment and discuss but I ask you to show respect to the author. Thanks!***

______________________________________________________________

Superfruits and Other Tips for Cancer Nutrition

Due to the
prevalence of cancer today, a lot of people find it hard to trust the foods
that most people consume in fear of their association with cancer.
Unfortunately, the best-tasting foods are not always the most nutritious ones,
and some can do the body more harm than good.

While foods
may not directly cause cancer, they can certainly contribute to its development
and progression. On the other hand, some foods may prevent certain cancers or
alleviate symptoms and side effects as they fight the disease.

Superfruits
and Cancer

Superfruits
are good examples. Superfruits are powerhouse fruits that combine important
nutrients, antioxidants and great taste for excellent health benefits. Some
superfruits are common everywhere, while others are specific to certain parts
of the world.

Vitamins,
minerals, antioxidants and fiber are common nutrients in all superfruits. A few
of these foods are especially advantageous for their cancer-fighting
properties. Acai berry, avocado, blueberry, dragonfruit, grapes, mango and
pomegranate are some of the best anti-cancer fruits around.

Superfruits
and other healthy foods are not a cure-all for cancer, whether it is
mesothelioma, breast cancer or any other type. However, cancer patients can
certainly benefit from eating a diet rich in these types of foods. Healthy
eating has benefits for all patients, whether they are going through cancer
treatment or a time of remission.

Energy
Balance and Cancer

A healthy
diet is a crucial component ofenergy balance, says the National
Cancer Institute (NCI). As one of the United States National Institutes of
Health, the NCI has conducted extensive research on energy balance and how it
affects the lives of cancer patients. Along with body weight, body composition
and exercise, diet may alter the cancer process for good or bad. A healthy diet
helps people feel better, even during cancer, and improves quality of life.

According
to researchers, the best foods for preventing and fighting cancer are
plant-based foods: fruits and superfruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and
nuts. Plants have less fat that animal-based foods. Additionally, they contain
more fiber and cancer-fighting agents. These three nutritional components work
together to support immune system functioning to fight cancer, illness and
infection.

Of course,
people with different cancers have different nutritional requirements.Nutrition for mesothelioma patients may look different from that of breast cancer or
pancreatic cancer. Doctors, dietitians and other members of a cancer care team
can work with patients to develop a healthy diet that meets their nutritional
needs.

About Me

I have eaten poorly all of my life. I was the guy who'd eat sugary cereal for breakfast, a Frankenstein "lunch", McDonald's for dinner, and a midnight snack of Doritos, Gummi Worms, Tasty Kakes, a Milky Way bar, and a Cherry Coke just before going to sleep. The next day, rinse and repeat. I always had good metabolism so I didn't gain lots of weight but one day, I just didn't feel right. I had issues waking up in the morning, I moved more slowly, I was crabby, my stomach felt like it was constantly trying to digest, etc. So, I did some food experimentation and realized that most of what I was eating was not agreeing with my body (mostly dairy and processed meats). So, I decided to take a drastic step. I decided that I wanted to wipe the slate clean and start anew. I became a vegan (cold-turkey) and exercised every single day. Over a year later, I've never felt better and I feel like I'm adding years to my life, instead of subtracting. I'm not advocating one way or another for veganism. However, I AM advocating an informed, healthy, conscious lifestyle. Trust me, you'll feel like a million bucks. So, let's get healthier as we age and enjoy the ride!